The river sheoak prefers a climate with rainfall ranging from 500 - 1500 mm and can be found at altitudes from sea level to 1000 m. It thrives in areas along water courses and can grow on rocky slopes, especially limestone. The plant is well-suited for gravel or sandy soils and shows limited tolerance to soil salinity.
River sheoak
The auarina cunninghamiana, also known as the river sheoak, is a medium to tall tree native to eastern and northern Australia. It can reach heights of 20 to 35 meters and is the largest of the Australian casuarinas. It thrives in areas near water and can tolerate various soil types, but is not very tolerant of soil salinity. The wood of this tree is durable and has been used for various purposes, including turnery and firewood.
auarina cunninghamiana
Australia
Other Relevant Information: - The river sheoak (Auarina cunninghamiana) is a dioecious tree, meaning it has separate male and female plants. - The tree is known for its slender, drooping foliage and long, cylindrical cones that resemble small pinecones. - It is commonly found along riverbanks, creeks, and waterways, as it thrives in moist environments. - The river sheoak provides important habitat and food for various bird species, including cockatoos and parrots. - Indigenous Australian communities have traditionally used the river sheoak for medicinal purposes, with the bark and leaves having potential healing properties. - Due to its tolerance for windy conditions, the river sheoak is often planted as a windbreak or shelterbelt in agricultural areas. - This species is also valued for its ability to stabilize soil and prevent erosion along riverbanks.
The river sheoak prefers gravel or sandy soils and is not very tolerant of soil salinity.
A medium sized to tall tree (20 - 35 m) native to eastern and northern Australia. It is the largest of the Australian casuarinas. It naturally occurs in pure stands along water courses between normal water level and flood level, in rainfalls from 500 - 1500 mm and at altitudes from sea level to 1000 m. It can also extend up rocky slopes, particularly limestone. The soils are typically gravel or sand. It is not very tolerant of soil salinity.
The foliage has been used as a drought fodder but is not high in nutrition. The wood ranges from dark red to purplish brown and is fissile, close grained, tough when seasoned, fairly durable with a density of 900 kg/cu m. The timber was once used for shingles and bullock yokes and is still used in Australia for turnery, tool handles and cask heads. It is a very good firewood.
Propagation is from seed. Seedlings are browsed by stock and need protection until beyond their reach.